Betsy Alles column: Is it time to brag about our family ties?

October was Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin, a time to celebrate our heritage and our future. It's also a time to count our blessings and review our many assets.

One could argue that here in Sheboygan County, every month is manufacturing month. With more than half of our workers engaged in manufacturing, we have a colossal commitment to the present and the future of this sector.

In most parts of this country - even throughout the world - manufacturing is about "making things." But right here in our county there is a much deeper, familial connection. It's a way of life that goes far beyond what is produced. It started with the gutsiest of entrepreneurs - one product and one job at a time - and now spans several generations. Even now it's innovation that keeps things moving ahead even in the toughest of times.

With a large portion of our companies owned and operated by families that live right here, the employees become extended family. Even in the deepest of recessions these employers make a gallant effort to maintain these relationships by treating people with the utmost respect and providing work if at all possible. In return we have one of the most - if not the most - loyal and hardworking people. This ethic also makes its way into the valued companies here that are owned by national or international organizations because it's so much a part of who we are.

Now, our companies are growing and more skilled workers and professionals will be needed.

Our culture, ladies and gentlemen, is our unique selling proposition. This way of life will attract the people we need to make our county thrive. This ethic is our greatest advantage in the art of business attraction and filling the "skills gap."

Perhaps it's time to join together to take our message to parts of the country where manufacturing took a bigger hit and it's not recovering - where people are waiting to find a job that engages them and makes them want to get out of bed in the morning - a job that would make them feel like family. The big bonus is that we've got everything else here too - communities that work together and care about each other, award-winning education opportunities, recreation and a great outdoors that is second to none and, by all measures, the best places to raise a family.

With this commitment I contend we could win this competition for good people hands down. We have plenty of folks - those who have lived here all their lives and those who moved here for work - that could be the stars in this campaign. They can speak from their hearts directly to those ready to listen. What do you think? Is it time?

Betsy Alles is executive director of the Sheboygan County Chamber. The Chamber is actively engaged in helping employers identify strategies to ensure a strong, future workforce through its Business Education Partnership Committee, its Manufacturing Operations Roundtable and other programs. For more information or to respond to this commentary you can reach Ms. Alles at betsy@sheboygan.org.

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Betsy Alles column: Is it time to brag about our family ties?

October was Manufacturing Month in Wisconsin, a time to celebrate our heritage and our future. It's also a time to count our blessings and review our many assets. One could argue that here in

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